Regence BlueShield of Idaho Announces Executive Changes

John Stellmon tapped to lead Health Care Services for region's largest
nonprofit insurer; Scott Kreiling named president for Idaho

BOISE, Idaho, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Regence, the largest nonprofit insurer
in the Northwest/Intermountain Region, has named John Stellmon, president of
Regence BlueShield of Idaho, to lead the company's Health Care Services
division.

In his new expanded role, effective August 1, 2009, Stellmon will be
responsible for executing the company's integrated health management programs.
He will also oversee Pharmacy Services, Network Strategy and Performance and
Health Care Services Planning and Performance Analytics. His primary office
and residence will remain in Boise.

"Our Health Care Services division plays a vital role in leading and shaping
the future of our company, and is a perfect fit for John's talents. His
leadership in this critically important role will not only benefit Idaho - as
it has for many years - but now the entire region," said Mark Ganz, President
and CEO of Regence. "We must fundamentally rethink how insurers reimburse
providers and incentivize integrated, high-quality, patient-centered care.
Currently all insurers are falling short, and Regence is committed to
advancing this change."

Stellmon, who has been with Regence for nearly 20 years, has held a variety of
key positions within the company, including Chief Legal Counsel and Chief
Operating Officer for Regence BlueShield of Idaho. He was named president in
2003, and has played a pivotal role in state and regional health care reform
efforts. He is on the board for the Idaho Health Data Exchange, and in 2007
participated in Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter's two-day health care summit
with legislators and health care representatives, a session designed to
generate ideas for delivering affordable health care.

"The personal relationships that we share with physicians, hospitals and other
health care providers, and our collaborative efforts to ensure quality care
for our members, are crucial to our success," said Stellmon. "I am committed
to fostering trust and collaboration between all stakeholders within the
system, including health plans, and I appreciate the company's faith in my
ability to lead this vitally important effort."

New President Named
Scott Kreiling, Vice President of Sales for Regence BlueShield in Washington,
has been named President of Regence BlueShield of Idaho. A health care
industry veteran, Kreiling joined Regence BlueShield in November 2002 as the
Director of Sales. Previously, he served as Director of Sales and Marketing
with PacifiCare, overseeing group sales, broker relations and the rollout of a
preferred provider organization product. Kreiling also held two sales
management roles with Aetna U.S. Healthcare, including sales and service
responsibilities for Alaska and Washington.

During his time with Regence, Kreiling has played an integral role in the
company's efforts to streamline and improve Sales processes and procedures,
expand market share, strengthen relationships with the agent and broker
community, bring new and innovative products to the market, and to enhance
outreach to the Latino community.

"I could not be more pleased to welcome Scott to Idaho, and to provide my
support to him in his new role," said Stellmon. "I have had the pleasure of
working with Scott for many years, and he is the right person for the job. His
tremendous and heartfelt commitment to serving the diverse needs of our
members, our employer groups and our communities is a hallmark of his
leadership. His move to Idaho is a tremendous win for our company and our
state."

Scott will be joined in Idaho by his wife Cheryl and their children, Chae and
Cole. His appointment is effective August 15, 2009.

About Regence BlueShield of Idaho
Regence BlueShield of Idaho is a leading health plan in Idaho with more than
210,000 members, offering health, life and dental insurance. It is part of The
Regence Group, the largest health insurer in the Northwest/Intermountain
Region, serving nearly three million members as Regence BlueShield of Idaho,
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
and Regence BlueShield (in selected counties in Washington). Each plan is a
nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Regence is committed to improving the health of our members and our
communities and to transforming our health care system. For more information,
please visit www.regence.com or follow the company at
twitter.com/regenceidaho.

SOURCE Regence

Mike Tatko of Regence, +1-208-798-2221, or Cell, +1-208-791-2332,
mtatkoid@regence.com